Leon Goretzka reportedly prefers a move to Barcelona over other clubs, with the Schalke 04 man on the radar of several top European clubs.
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo have reported that Leon Goretzka is attracting interest from a number of clubs across Europe, with his contract set to run out at the end of the season. But, the German midfielder is set to snub widespread interest in him as he is eager to join Barcelona.
Leon Goretzka has been an instrumental figure for Schalke since he joined the Bundesliga outfit from boyhood club Vfl Bochum. Since then, the player’s stock has risen considerably, having made a lot of impression with his playmaking abilities from the centre of the park.
Coming into the 2017-18 season off a spectacular campaign with the German National Side at the Confederations Cup, Goretzka has continued going from strength to strength, despite it becoming all too clear that this will be his last season with Schalke.
So far, the 22-year-old has made 10 appearances for Die Konigsblauen, with a superb return of 4 goals and an assist to show for his effort. However, with Goretzka out of contract at the end of the season, interest in him has been skyrocketing.
Leon #Goretzka: Man on fire ?
??? 3 games
⚽️⚽️⚽️ 3 goals pic.twitter.com/lzzkt4Bcib— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) October 26, 2017
The likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Liverpool are in touch with the player’s representatives, having monitored him for a long time. Bayern Munich have struggled to fill the void left by the departure of Xabi Alonso, with Corentin Tolisso struggling to adapt thus far.
Juventus, too, are keen to bolster their midfield despite the arrival of Blaise Matuidi in the summer, with Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio struggling for fitness on a regular basis. Liverpool though, are eyeing Goretzka as a replacement for Emre Can, who is coincidentally being linked with Juventus.
But, the Germany international has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, having spoken with compatriot Marc-Andre ter Stegen about life in the Catalan capital, with the Blaugrana in touch with his agent Jorg Neubauer as well.
In fact, the club’s Sporting Director Robert Fernandez has scouted Goretzka on numerous occasions, and has been in negotiations with Neubauer for months now. Indeed, with Andres Iniesta approaching the end of his glittering career, in addition to the likes of Andre Gomes and Ivan Rakitic blowing hot and cold, Goretzka is a viable target.
Barcelona though, are weighing up whether to sign the player in the winter transfer window, or wait till next summer to sign him for free. Meanwhile, Schalke has requested the youngster to wait till the end of the season before calling time on his stint at Veltins Arena.
What remains certain, though, is that Barcelona have a distinct advantage in the race to sign Goretzka, and it remains to be seen if any of his other suitors manage to steal a march on the La Liga heavyweights.
